Scientific name: Vanessa cardui

The Painted Lady is a long-distance migrant, which causes the most spectacular butterfly migrations observed in Britain and Ireland.

Each year, it spreads northwards from the desert fringes of North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, recolonising mainland Europe and reaching Britain and Ireland. In some years it is an abundant butterfly, frequenting gardens and other flowery places in late summer.

Size and Family

Family – Nymphalids

Medium Sized

Wing Span Range (male to female) - 50-56mm

Conservation status

UK BAP status: Not assessed

Butterfly Conservation priority: Low

European status: Not assessed

Caterpillar Foodplants

A wide range of foodplants may be used with thistles (Cirsium spp. and Carduus spp.) being preferred in Britain and Ireland. Mallows (Malva spp.), Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), Viper's-bugloss (Echium vulgare), and various cultivated plants also have been recorded as larval foodplants here.

Distribution

Countries – England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales

Throughout Britain and Ireland, but numbers vary greatly from year to year

Distribution Trend Since 1970’s = +32%

Habitat

This common and widespread migrant likes dry open areas, but can be seen anywhere in a good year.